Salinas City Councilman Jose Castaneda is accused of using false statements in an effort to visit high-profile inmate Jose Velasco in jail.Action News talked with all of Castaneda's fellow council members. Few were surprised by this latest incident, but all said they're disappointed in the councilman's behavior."We have a council member who is making some determinations early by visiting an individual. That can pose a problem," Salinas City Councilwoman Kimbley Craig said.The Velasco case is a sensitive one for the city. An internal investigation is underway and it's likely the city will face a lawsuit.So when city leaders heard Castaneda went to the county jail to visit Velasco and claimed he was a member of Velasco's family in order to see him, they were not too happy."I don't care how sympathetic he is to the family," Salinas City Councilwoman Jyl Lutes said. "The fact is, there is a process set up and he represents the city. He cannot go independently and meet with the family.""I wouldn't be surprised if a lawsuit doesn't ensue," Salinas City Councilman Steve McShane said. "But to have a council member in the middle of all this, yeah, that doesn't bode well for the city and really everybody involved."Action News spoke with Castaneda by telephone. He would not deny or confirm going to the jail to see Velasco and characterized the police report on the incident as a lie."I think we all want justice," Salinas City Councilman Tony Barrera said. "But we want to be fair with the evidence, whatever comes up and I think the best thing we can do for Mr. Velasco is to wait and hear the report from the D.A."As for Castaneda, the city is withholding his paycheck until he meets decorum rules requiring him to file a personal finance disclosure and attend ethics training.Castaneda isn't being charged with trying to break jail rules about visitation. According to the police report, the councilman never did meet with Velasco in jail.

SALINAS, Calif. —

Salinas City Councilman Jose Castaneda is accused of using false statements in an effort to visit high-profile inmate Jose Velasco in jail.

Action News talked with all of Castaneda's fellow council members. Few were surprised by this latest incident, but all said they're disappointed in the councilman's behavior.

"We have a council member who is making some determinations early by visiting an individual. That can pose a problem," Salinas City Councilwoman Kimbley Craig said.

The Velasco case is a sensitive one for the city. An internal investigation is underway and it's likely the city will face a lawsuit.

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So when city leaders heard Castaneda went to the county jail to visit Velasco and claimed he was a member of Velasco's family in order to see him, they were not too happy.

"I don't care how sympathetic he is to the family," Salinas City Councilwoman Jyl Lutes said. "The fact is, there is a process set up and he represents the city. He cannot go independently and meet with the family."

"I wouldn't be surprised if a lawsuit doesn't ensue," Salinas City Councilman Steve McShane said. "But to have a council member in the middle of all this, yeah, that doesn't bode well for the city and really everybody involved."

Action News spoke with Castaneda by telephone. He would not deny or confirm going to the jail to see Velasco and characterized the police report on the incident as a lie.

"I think we all want justice," Salinas City Councilman Tony Barrera said. "But we want to be fair with the evidence, whatever comes up and I think the best thing we can do for Mr. Velasco is to wait and hear the report from the D.A."

As for Castaneda, the city is withholding his paycheck until he meets decorum rules requiring him to file a personal finance disclosure and attend ethics training.

Castaneda isn't being charged with trying to break jail rules about visitation. According to the police report, the councilman never did meet with Velasco in jail.